10 Amazing Facts About Trees: Nature’s Powerful Healers and Silent Protectors

God filled the world with wondrous trees that we often don't even stop to appreciate. Following are fascinating facts that are good to know!

1. A tree can absorb around 80 kg of toxic metals — such as mercury, lithium, and others, as well as about 20 kg of dust without being harmed. In fact, the opposite is true: a tree can filter and purify 100,000 cubic meters of polluted air each year, and from it produce about 700 kg of oxygen.

2. There are over 100,000 species of trees in the world. The tallest of them is the Sequoia sempervirens, located in Redwood National Park in California, reaching an astonishing height of 115 meters.

3. Studies indicate that trees have significant healing power, especially for people suffering from various levels of depression. Simply looking at trees not only reduces the need for medication, but also helps patients focus on the positive aspects of their lives. Therapeutic programs that incorporated daily observation of trees over extended periods were found to be more effective than other treatment methods.

   This treatment approach has become an especially useful tool in working with prisoners, and many prisons worldwide have adopted it as part of their psychological support systems. Research has shown that inmates housed in facilities with green, tree-filled environments experienced a 50% reduction in crime and behavioral problems.

4. The oldest known tree in the world belongs to the Pinus longaeva species, native to California. Measurements taken in 1975 determined its age to be approximately 4,800 years.

5. If not cut down, trees can theoretically live forever, unless they become diseased — in which case they must sometimes be removed to prevent infection from spreading to other trees.

6. Cutting down a tree in many parts of the world is a criminal offense, even if the tree stands on your private property. To remove it, one must obtain special authorization from the regional forestry authority.

7. During hot summer months, each tree helps reduce surrounding temperatures by about four degrees Celsius.

8. Similar to acoustic barriers, trees possess a remarkable ability to absorb noise.

9. The root system of a mature tree can significantly diminish the impact of earthquakes.

10. Planning to sell your home and unsure how the large old tree beside it affects the sale? A mature tree may greatly increase the property’s value.